How do you play the C major/E chord?

To play the C major/E chord on piano, play the C major chord (C, E and G) with E as the lowest bass note. Place the E note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The C major/E chord means a C major chord with E in the bass.

C major/E

Q: What notes are in the C major/E chord?

The C major/E chord uses the 3 notes of the C major chord — C (Perfect unison), E (Major third) and G (Perfect fifth) — with E played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The C major chord consists of the C (Perfect unison), E (Major third) and G (Perfect fifth) notes, with E as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a C major/E chord

How to play the C major/E chord

Play E as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find C (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add E (Major third) — 4 semitones above C
Add G (Perfect fifth) — 7 semitones above C
Press all 4 notes simultaneously to sound the C major/E chord

Inversions with same root

E m(#5)

Related chords with different root

C major

Related slash chords

C 5/E